T174M-M235T AGT Gene Haplotypes in Women with Pre-Eclampsia from Northwest Mexico: A Pilot Case-Control Study

Pre-eclampsia is a Hypertensive Disorder of Pregnancy (HDP) characterized by hypertension and proteinuria, affecting 2-8% of pregnancies worldwide and constituting a major public health concern. Genes of the renin-angiotensin system have been investigated as potential causative factors, but inconclusive results have been obtained. The objective of this pilot study is to evaluate the possible contribution of alleles, genotypes or haplotypes of two single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) T174M (rs4762) and M235T (rs699) in <i>AGT</i> gene to pre-eclampsia in the Mexican population. We analyzed the association by performing PCR-RFLP with DNA extracted from whole blood samples of Mexican women with pre-eclampsia or normotensive pregnancy and the general population (GP). Our results showed a significant difference in the rate of heterozygosity for the T174M polymorphism between cases and controls. In addition, this polymorphism together with homozygosity for the M235T polymorphism may represent a possible genetic marker associated with pre-eclampsia. The T-C haplotype (174M-M235) was more common in patients with pre-eclampsia (non-significant difference <i>p</i> = 0.0503). The identification of genetic risk markers may support the early detection of pre-eclampsia and strengthen peripartum maternal health strategies within a global health framework aimed at reducing maternal mortality.